​Effect of Sowing Time on Production Potential of Maize Fodder and its Nutritive Value Before and After Ensiling

Abstract

Background: This study was taken up to assess the effect of time of sowing and number of irrigations on the yield of maize cultivar J-1006 and to see their impact on the nutritive value of fresh and ensiled fodder. Methods: Maize cultivar J-1006 was sown at 50 cm row to row and 10 cm plant to plant spacing at 10 days interval in quintuplicate. The crop was harvested after 80-85 days of sowing. The J-1006 on the first date of sowing (B1) was given one irrigation and rest of the sowings (B2-B5) received two irrigations till harvest. The nutritive value (NV) of fresh and ensiled maize fodder was assessed by in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique. Result: Highest biological, DM and protein yield was recorded in B2 maize fodder while the lowest was recorded in B5. The cell wall constituents were the highest (P less than 0.01) in B1 and the lowest in B5 fodder resulting in highest (P less than 0.01) microbial biomass production (MBP) and the NV in B5 maize fodder. Irrespective of time of sowing, OM, NDF and hemicellulose contents were reduced (P less than 0.01) in ensiled maize fodder. The net gas production (NGP; P less than 0.01) and ME (P less than 0.05) were depressed and the total and individual VFAs and MBP were improved (P less than 0.01) in the ensiled maize. Irrespective of processing, the maize given two irrigations resulted in higher (P less than 0.01) MBP and NV as comparison to that given single irrigation. It was concluded that B5 maize fodder with the lowest yield given two irrigations had the best nutritive value.